Jarel Threat
Jarel Threat
Fantasy & Sci-Fi Illustrator
Los Angeles, CA
www.jarelthreat.com
instagram @jarelthreat
youtube
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I’m an illustrator, who specializes in the fantasy and sci-fi genre. ”
Most of my work is done in oil, in a layering technique. I also work in comics, making superheroes such as Batman, Wonder Woman and Spawn as well as independent fantasy titles.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
After graduating from art school, I went back to basics. I focused on my fundamentals for 3 years and created a new portfolio. With countless unanswered emails and rejections, I managed to get a couple of jobs each year. Work is still hard to come by but I believe that devoting the time and mastering my craft will change my fortune. I try my best to become the best artist I could and still do till this day.
FOR OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR FIELD, WHAT DO THEY USUALLY LACK?
I don’t think there is a blanket answer for this question. I’m sure every artist has something they lack compared to another artist, whether its value control, marketing, networking, color sense, design or overall business acumen.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Currently, I’m working on a card game, illustrating 60 cards that include dragons, castles, kings and mages. I’m also working on a motion comic. A comic I illustrated last year is being turned into a motion comic so me and a team of other artists including composers, writers and animators are working together to make it happen.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
It’s hard for me to describe my style. It’s not realistic but not heavily stylized. I like to think that it leans more towards realistic but most likely, it’s somewhere in the middle. My work overall can be classified as dark fantasy although I have work that falls outside of it like high fantasy and figurative.
My taste is rooted in the fantastic or imaginative realism. That is my ultimate goal, for my work to have that quality and fall under that category.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
As things stand right now, I wish I could focus more on my oil painting skill. My current projects are digital heavy because of deadlines. I really want to get back into my traditional oils and really understand the medium more.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
My client list is my main frustration right now. I love the projects I get to work on but increasing the volume of work either by increasing my client list or the work I get from my current list would be advantageous.
My other frustration relates to the time I have to devote to personal work. The client work comes first and because this is how I make a living, personal work is always put on the back burner.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Two words: Laundry...Dishes
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I think about this all the time. I would tell myself not to go to art school, go to an Atelier. Get your fundamentals as solid as humanly possible.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I would want more insight on increasing my skills as an artist. How to study, create believable people and places, classical techniques and getting your work in front of the right people.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I’m looking for projects with a fantasy element, whether it’s dark fantasy, high fantasy, surreal or gothic. The medium can include cover work (books, albums, comics, magazines, etc.), card art, interiors, promotional work or posters.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
My ideal client or job has a clear yet general vision of what they want and are open to artistic freedom/creative input. I found that clients who are really rigid and want things in a very specific way are harder for me to work with. I tend to do my best work when I can employ my creativity on a project.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
My hourly rate is $30.00. Most of my projects however are on a case by case basis. A basic illustration (one figure with background) is $450.00. Each additional figure or animal is an additional $50.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Simple and straight to the point is preferred. The description, due date and budget for the project is all that is needed. A small introduction is nice though.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Check out other artists, YouTube and Netflix
This member profile was originally published in March 2018.